FEC Gridlocked, Not Enforcing Current Rulings, in Need of Reform

Watchdog Group Hails Senate Finance Committee Request for IRS Investigation Into Activities of American Crossroads et al. for Misuse of 501c4 Status to Hide Donors and Engage in Prohibited Political Activity

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The watchdog group, www.AmericanCrossroadsWatch.org, hails Senate Finance Chair Max Baucus for requesting that the Internal Revenue Service (1) survey major 501(c)(4), (c)(5) and (c)(6) organizations involved in political campaign activity to examine whether they are operated for the organization's intended tax exempt purpose and to ensure that political campaign activity is not the organization's primary activity, (2) examine if these political activities reach (a primary purpose level–) the standard imposed by the federal tax code – and if they do not, whether the organization is complying with the notice or proxy tax requirements of Section 6033(e), and (3) survey major 501(c)(4), (c)(5), and (c)(6) organizations to determine whether they are acting as conduits for major donors advancing their own private interests regarding legislation or political campaigns, or are providing major donors with excess benefits. See complete letter at http://www.velvetrevolution.us/images/Baucus_irs_tax_exempt_9_28_10.pdf

By Kevin Zeese- Sept. 30, 2010: A big victory yesterday for democracy as the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Max Baucus, called for an investigation of corporate front groups and asked the Internal Revenue Service to conduct a full investigation not only of Karl Rove's American Crossroads but all groups improperly using tax-exempt status to manipulate elections.

September 30, 2010: A new and powerful "super-PAC" tied to Republican strategist Karl Rove, fueled by out-of-state corporations and billionaires, is swooping into Florida to put its money behind front-runner Marco Rubio in the U.S. Senate race.

In the wake of the Citizens United decision in January, major nonprofit groups have been spending unprecedented amounts of money on political campaigns. The majority of these groups (and by far the majority of the money spent) represent conservative interests, and are funded by donors whose identities are kept secret. But on September 29th- thanks in part to the 6000+ voters who signed our letter to Congress Senator Max Baucus, Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, has written a letter to the IRS demanding an investigation into American Crossroads and other Super PACs, and asking the IRS to identify which tax laws they may have broken.

September 29, 2010- Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee have asked the Internal Revenue Service to review political spending by major nonprofit groups, to determine if the groups are being used as improper conduits for anonymous donors or are otherwise abusing their tax-exempt status.

September 27, 2010: WASHINGTON — Groups allied with the Republican Party and financed in part by corporations and millionaires have amassed a crushing 6-to-1 advantage in television spending over those who support Democratic candidates.

Ads purchased by the GOP-aligned groups are dominating the airwaves, early voting has begun in some states, and Republicans are positioned to jeopardize Democratic control of the House and Senate.